Carton transferring apparatus



July 9, 1963 A. M. SIMPSON CARTON TRANSFERRING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Aug. 17, 1961 lnuenlor 144 mm /7.' J/Mpso/v July 9, 1963 A. M.SIMPSON CARTON TRANSFERRING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17,1961 Inventor M S/MPSQA/ July 9, 1963 A. M. SIMPSON CARTON TRANSFERRINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 17, 1961 I nvenlor 4 mm M SIMPSONB I I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 17, 1961 Inventor M 3/14 1290 July 9,1963 A. M. SIMPSON 3,096,693 CARTON TRANSFERRING APPARATUS Filed Aug.17, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor #zmm/V. Sm s v United States Patent3,096,693 CARTON TSFERRING APPARATUS Alfred Mouncy Simpson, Swindon,England, assignor to The Metal Box Company Limited, London, England,

a British company Filed Aug. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 132,161 Claims priority,application Great Britain Sept. 8, 1960 Claims. (CI. 93-51) Thisinvention relates to carton transferring apparatus and in particular toapparatus for transferring cartons from a setting-up die to a deliveryconveyor.

In some forms of carton setting-up machines a carton is removed from thesetting-up die by a reciprocable suction device which moves in avertical plane and draws the carton downwards through the bottom of thedie, the carton being deposited by the suction device on a deliveryconveyor. This necessitates the use of an intermittent conveyor becausethe sucker device must cross the path of the conveyor and entails lossof operational time because when the sucker device has deposited acarton in the path of the conveyor it cannot be again operated to removea carton from the die until the conveyor has completed its movement toremove the carton out of the path of the sucker device. It is a mainobject of the present invention to provide a carton transferringapparatus which will permit the carton setting-up machine to operate ata higher rate than heretofore by reducing the waiting time of the suckerdevice before it can return towards the die to remove a further set-upcarton therefrom.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for receivingcartons removed from a setting-up die, comprising a support aligned withand spaced from the exit end of a setting-up die by a distance whichpermits a set-up carton extracted from the die to rest on the support,an extractor device movable between the die and the support to extract acarton from the die and to deposit it on the support, a conveyor toreceive cartons from the support, and a transfer element operable totransfer a carton from the support into the path of the conveyor, saidtransfer element 'being movable across the path of the extractor deviceto efliect the transfer of the carton into the path of the conveyor andreturnable after the extractor device has been moved towards the die andout of the path of the transfer element.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood one embodimentthereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of apparatus according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 is a top plan of apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a section on line IIIIII, FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a view looking in the direction of arrow IV, FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a top plan illustrating a modification to the apparatus shownin FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a section on line VI-VI, FIG. 5, with some parts omitted, and

FIG. 7 is a view looking in the direction of arrow VII, FIG. 5, withsome parts omitted.

Like reference numerals refer to like or similar parts throughout thedrawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, FIG. 1 illustratesdiagrammatically apparatus for eifecting the simultaneous setting-up oftwo cartons. The cartons are set-up from blanks, not shown, by beingpressed, in known manner, into dies 1 by vertically reciprocable punches2. The construction of the dies and punches is of any suitable 3,096,693Patented July 9, 1963 kind forming no part of the present invention andis not described in detail herein.

After withdrawal of the punches 2 from the dies 1 the cartons set-up inthe dies are removed therefrom, through the open bottom ends of thedies, by extractor devices which, in the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the drawings, comprise suction devices which includesuction members 3 supported by and communicating with the interior ofhollow members 4. The hollow members 4 are supported by tubes 5 whichextend laterally from the members 4 and which are connected with avertically reciprocable carriage '6. The carriage 6 is guided forreciprocation by fixed vertical rods 7 and reciprocation is effected bya track eam 8, FIG. 3, rotatable with a shaft 9 and connected with thecarriage 6 by links, 10, 11, a bell-crank lever 12, and connecting rod13. The carriage 6 is connectable through valves 14, FIG. 2, with asource of suction, such as suction pump not shown, and controls theapplication, through the tubes 5, of suction to the suction members 3.

When the extractor devices are lowered they draw set-up cartons out ofthe dies 1 and deposit them on supports each formed, as shown in FIG. 2,by a pair of elements 15, 16 which are supported in spaced relation onopposite sides of the path of transfer elements, described below. As canbe seen from FIG. 2, the shape of the members 4 permits the free passageof the members past the support elements 15, 16 during reciprocation ofthe members 4.

After the set-up cartons are deposited on the support elements 15, 16the suction is cut-oif so that the cartons rest freely on the supportelements and the cartons are removed from the support elements bytransfer elements 17 which are reciprocable across the support elements15, 16, in a horizontal plane and move the cartons from the supportelements between guides 18 and into the path of a continuously movableconveyor formed by an endless chain 19 carrying pusher elements 20, FIG.2.

The transfer elements 17 are carried by cranked members 21 the crankedportions thereof being, as can be seen from FIG. 2, movable in pathsexterior to the paths of the members 4. The cranked members 21 aresecured to an operating member 22 which is common thereto and which isreciprocated by a cam 23, FIG. 4, mounted on a shaft 24 which is rotatedin timed relation with shaft 9. Cam 23 is connected with the operatingmember 22 through a lever 25 and link 26.

It will be understood that when the transfer elements 17 are operated tomove cartons oh the support elements 15, 16 the extractor devices 3, 4are disposed below the upper surfaces of the support elements. Thecranked members 21 move above the guides 18 and in the extreme forwardpositions thereof the elements 17 are located, as viewed in FIG. 2,between the members 4 and the conveyor 19, 20. Thus as soon as thetransfer elements 17 have passed over the members 4 the members 4 canbe, and are, moved upwards towards the dies 1 to remove further cartonsset-up in the dies. The movement of the transfer elements 17 is so timedthat the return movement thereof, to the positions shown in FIG. 2,commences just about the time that the members 4 have been raised to aposition just above the path of transfer elements 17 so that the members4 do not obstruct the return movement of the transfer elements.

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate a modification to the apparatus described abovedesigned to effect stopping of the operation of the apparatus in theevent that a carton becomes jammed in the region of the support elements15, 16. In this modified form of the apparatus the elements 15, 16 arespaced apart on opposite sides of the paths of the transfer elements 17and are carried by a frame 27 pivsceaeos oted at 28, FIG. 6, to themachine frame portion 29. A spring 30, FIG. 7, retains the guideelements 15, 16 in the normal positions thereof. The frame 27 alsocarries a switch actuator 31, FIG. 7, which, if the frame 257 is rockeddownwards as received in FIG. 6, effects operation of an electric switch32 connected in the circuit for the motor, not shown, by which theapparatus is operated.

In the event that a badly formed carton should fall from a member 4 andbe misplaced relative to the elements 15, 16; or should a transferelement 17 fail to remove a carton from the elements 15, 16, theobstructing carton will, during the succeeding machine cycle, be trappedbetween the member 4 and the support elements and the continued movementof the member 4 causes the elements 15, 16 to be rocked about pivot 28thus causing the actuator 31 to operate the switch 32 and effectstopping of the machine so that the faulty carton can be removed fromthe apparatus.

Thus it will be understood that with apparatus as described above it ispossible to effect the return movement of the extractor devices 3, 4immediately the transfer elements have passed over the extractor devicesthus reducing to a minimum the period of dwell of the extractor devicesat the bottom of the stroke thereof, and it is also possible to utilisea continuously movable conveyor for the purpose of removing the set-upcartons from the setting-up machine.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for receiving cartons removed from a setting-up die,comprising a support aligned with and spaced from the exit end of asetting-up die by a distance which permits a set-up carton extractedfrom the die to rest on the support, an extractor device movable betweena first position thereof at which it is operable to extract 'a cartonfrom the die and a second position thereof at which it deposits theextracted carton on the support, a conveyor to receive cartons from thesupport, a pusher movable over the extractor device in the secondposition thereof to move a carton from the support and to deliver it tothe conveyor, a reciprocable operating memher to effect said movement ofthe pusher, and 1a connecting element connecting the pusher with theoperating member, said connecting element spacing the pusher from theoperating member and extending between said member and pusher at aposition displaced laterally from the path of the extractor devicewhereby While the p usher is located in the position thereof at which itdelivers a carton to the conveyor the extractor device is permitted toreturn to the forward position thereof through the space between thepusher and the operating member.

2. Apparatus for receiving cartons removed from a setting-up die,comprising an extractor device reciprocab le between a setting-up dieand supports spaced apart from each other and from the die, saidextractor device being operable to extract a set-up carton from the dieand movable between the supports to a position beneath the supports todeposit the carton on the supports, a conveyor to receive cartons fromthe supports, a pusher movable over the extractor device while saiddevice is beneath the supports to move a carton from the supports and todeliver it to the conveyor, a reciproca'ble operating member to eiiectsaid movement of the pusher, and a connecting element connecting thepusher with the operating member, said connecting element spacing thepusher from the operating member and extending between said member andpusher at a position displaced laterally from the path of the extractordevice whereby while the pusher is located in the position thereof atwhich it delivers a carton to the conveyor the extractor device ispermitted to return through the space between the pusher and theoperating member to extract a further set-up car-ton from the die.

3. Apparatus for receiving cartons removed from a setting-up die,comprising a hollow member provided With suction members to engage thebottom of a carton set-up in the die, a reciprocable carriageconnectable with a source of suction, a tube extending laterally fromthe hollow member and effecting communication between said hollow memberand carriage to permit suction to be applied to the suction members,supports spaced apart from each other and from the die and between whichthe hollow member is movable to a position beneath the supports todeposit a carton thereon, a conveyor to receive cartons from thesupports, a pusher movable over suction members while they are locatedbeneath the supports to move a carton from the supports and to deliverit tothe conveyor, a reciprocable operating member to effect saidmovement of the pusher, and a connecting element connecting the pusherwith the operating member and extending between the operating member andpusher at a position displaced laterally from the path of said hollowmember whereby while the pusher is located in the position thereof atwhich it delivers a carton to the conveyor the hollow member ispermitted to return through the space between the pusher and theoperating member to extract a further set-up carton from the die.

4. Apparatus for receiving cartons removed from setting-up dies,comprising two setting-up dies disposed in side-by-side spaced relation,a carriage connectable with a source of suction and'reciprocable in apath intermediate the dies, hollow members disposed one on each ofopposite sides of the carriage and aligned one with each of the dies,suction members carried by each of the hol- [low members to engage thebottoms of cartons set-up in the dies, tubes extending laterally fromthe hollow members and effecting communication between the hollowmembers and carriage to permit suction to be applied to the suctionmembers, supports spaced apart from each other and from the dies andbetween which the hollow members are respectively movable to positionsbeneath the supports to deposit thereon cartons removed from the dies bythe suction members, a conveyor to receive cantons from the supports,pushers movable respectively one over each' of the hollow members andsuction members carried thereby while the hollow members and suctionmembers are located beneath the supports to move cartons from thesupports and to deliver them to the conveyor, :1 reciprocable operatingmember common to the pushers to effect said movement of the pushers, andconnecting elements, one for each pusher, connecting the pushers withthe operating member and extending between the operating member and thepushers at positions displaced laterally from the paths of the hollowmembers whereby while the pushers are located in the positions thereofat which they deliver cartons to the conveyor the hollow members arepermitted to return through the space between the pushers and theoperating member to extract further set-up cartons from the dies.

Wilcox May 1, 1956 Tonna Apr. 26, 1960

1. APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING CARTONS REMOVED FROM A SETTING-UP DIE,COMPRISING A SUPPORT ALIGNED WITH AND SPACED FROM THE EXIT END OF ASETTING-UP DIE BY A DISTANCE WHICH PERMITS A SET-UP CARTON EXTRACTEDFROM THE DIE TO REST ON THE SUPPORT, AN EXTRACTOR DEVICE MOVABLE BETWEENA FIRST POSITION THEREOF AT WHICH IT IS OPERABLE TO EXTRACT A CARTONFROM THE DIE AND A SECOND POSITION THEREOF AT WHICH IT DEPOSITS THEEXTRACTED CARTON ON THE SUPPORT, A CONVEYOR TO RECEIVE CARTONS FROM THESUPPORT, A PUSHER MOVABLE OVER THE EXTRACTOR DEVICE IN THE SECONDPOSITION THEREOF TO MOVE A CARTON FROM THE SUPPORT AND TO DELIVER IT TOTHE CONVEYOR, A RECIPROCABLE OPERATING MEMBER TO EFFECT SAID MOVEMENT OFTHE PUSHER, AND A CONNECTING ELEMENT CONNECTING THE PUSHER WITH THEOPERATING MEMBER SAID CONNECTING ELEMENT SPACING THE PUSHER FROM THEOPERATING MEMBER AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID MEMBER AND PUSHER AT APOSITION DISPLACED LATERALLY FROM THE PATH OF THE EXTRACTOR DEVICEWHEREBY WHILE THE PUSHER IS LOCATED IN THE POSITION THEREOF AT WHICH ITDELIVERS A CARTON TO THE CONVEYOR THE EXTRACTOR DEVICE IS PERMITTED TORETURN TO THE FORWARD POSITION THEREOF THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN THEPUSHER AND THE OPERATING MEMBER.